SAULT STE. MARIE - Recent results of the Infant Feeding Survey from the Breastfeeding Education and Support Team indicate the need for increasing the duration of breastfeeding in babies past the six-week time frame common in the United States. As a strategy to promote this effort, the team has come up with an incentive program aimed at mothers who are exclusively nursing their infants. The effort is called "Go for the Gold," and will apply to all babies born in Chippewa County in 2006.
Human breast milk has been referred to as "liquid gold" in recent times because of its excellent nutrition, easy access, and low cost. B.E.S.T. has been issuing surveys around the community to help determine why families are, or are not, giving their babies the best food possible. Exclusive breastfeeding for a minimum of six months is recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Many of the "challenges" of breastfeeding come during the first four weeks after birth. Many health providers support the idea that, if mothers can breastfeed for six weeks, they will often go longer.
The "Go for the Gold" campaign will promote breastfeeding by providing incentive awards to mothers and families for their dedication to go beyond the six-week mark. Some of the awards include massage, movie passes, salon visits, manicures, pedicures, car washes, and restaurant coupons. Special thanks goes to Quaker State, Clip Joint Salon, A Hair Different, The New "U", and Side Street Salon for their donation of incentives.
Members of B.E.S.T. include Sault Tribal Health Center, Chippewa County Health Department, Michigan State University Extension, Bay Mills Healthy Start, War Memorial Hospital Obstetrical Department, and Teen Parenting Program. Please call Nancy Heyns at 906-635-3588 for more information on how to contact, or join, the B.E.S.T. committee, which meets at 12 p.m. the first Friday of each month at War Memorial Hospital. Businesses, please contact B.E.S.T to donate your tax-deductible prize with great advertising potential.
Lufkins is a nurse at Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians' Community Health Program.
